Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Six tourists from Maharashtra were rescued from drowning in two separate incidents along the Baga-Calangute beach stretch over the weekend, even as unseasonal rains failed to deter large crowds from visiting the coastal belt. In separate cases, three missing children were also successfully traced and reunited with their families by Drishti Marine lifesavers.
At Baga Beach, four teenagers from Nashik — including three minors — were pulled to safety after being caught in a rip current. The youngsters, part of a group of 20 students, had reportedly ignored warnings from on-duty lifesavers to avoid venturing into deep waters. When the group began struggling, lifesaver Suryakant Paryekar led the rescue using a board, assisted by Vinod Gaonkar, Nandakishor, and Jitendra Giri. All four victims were brought ashore unharmed.
At Calangute Beach, two men from Sangli were also rescued after being dragged by a rip current. Lifesavers Shivam Rajbhar and Ankur Kumar quickly responded with rescue tubes and brought the duo safely back to the shore.
Meanwhile, three missing children were located in separate incidents at Calangute. A five-year-old boy reported missing by his father was found after an extensive search, while another five-year-old from Nagpur was similarly traced and reunited with his parent. In a third case, a 12-year-old boy from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, was spotted entering the water alone by lifesaver Sunil Matondkar. Upon inquiry, the boy revealed that he had travelled alone from Mumbai. Matondkar, along with beach marshal Raghunath, ensured the child’s safety and handed him over to the police.
Authorities have once again urged beachgoers to adhere to safety instructions issued by lifeguards and avoid venturing into rough waters, especially during adverse weather conditions.
